Hotel Le Ballu

TL;DR

• Refined retro: – Boutique hotel with elegant 1960s-inspired interiors & understated design.
• Sophisticated spaces: – Rich woods, buttery leathers and bold, muted colours.
• Comfortable stay: – Spacious, well-equipped rooms and apartments suit longer stays.
• Relaxed facilities: – Including a stylish restaurant and heated indoor pool
• Great base: – Close to Pigalle, Montmartre, Gare Saint-Lazare & excellent transport links.
• Check prices here

There may be a wealth of somewhat quirky, beautifully designed boutique hotels in Paris, but Le Ballu will always be, quite comfortably, one of its most well-regarded.

It’s inspired by 60s design, we are told, and is more toned down than some of our more maximalist design hotels in Paris.

There’s also a bit more moody masculinity to the decor; it prefers to highlight simple, strong colours over patterns.

Which is a nice change, as most design-led hotel spaces tend towards the feminine.

Colours are bold but not bright, leathers are buttery, and the rich wood accents gleam.

The rooms range from smaller, decent-value entry-level double rooms to stylish apartments with terraces, great for longer stays.

It’s a small hotel, but it has a pool and sauna, which can be booked privately, and a very welcoming restaurant/cafe space with an outdoor terrace.

What are the rooms like?

• 35 rooms: – Choices range from cosy Standards to spacious suites and fully equipped apartments.
• Elegant interiors: – Rich textures, velvet furnishings and muted colours create calm, stylish spaces.
• Well equipped: – Kitchenettes, Chromecast TVs, minibars and tea and coffee facilities come as standard.
• See each room in detail here

Rooms are a bit less busy than common spaces without sacrificing any of the charm. They are more textural, with shiny pillows and some velvety, cushy chairs.

Colour schemes vary, but most are lovely royal blues, dark greens, and soft yellows.

There are only two options featuring terraces, so if outside space is non-negotiable, book early.

Otherwise, you’re looking at basic but beautiful Standard rooms. They get roomy right around the 25 square metre Deluxe rooms, with the option of a Double Twin setup.

Suites are plush, capable of fitting up to 3 people, featuring lovely soaking tubs.

Apartments are super-spacious and beautiful, a bit bolder in colour, still expertly decorated.

Anything you choose will be well-equipped with kitchenettes, smart TVs with Chromecast, and minibars, plus coffee & tea.

What are prices like?

• Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

• Stylish restaurant: – Relaxed all-day dining in an airy, design-led setting.
• Great for coffee: – Excellent espresso and lighter bites if you’re not after a full meal.
• Heated pool: – Atmospheric indoor pool with the option to book private sessions.

Common spaces are lovely, and the on-site restaurant is an airy space.

Ceilings are high, and there is a lovely outdoor patio. Furnishings have more patterns than in the rooms, but the colours are more muted. It all feels mature and luxurious.

Foodwise, it’s not a complicated menu, and not very beholden to any one sort of cuisine.

If you want more choice, you might want to look around the neighbourhood, but for a satisfying meal, or coffee, snack or drink, just downstairs, it’s great.

Then there’s the pool, all tile and atmosphere. It has heated spaces, and you can book it and/or the sauna privately if needed, which is a nice touch.

Hotel Le Ballu doesn’t have a gym, though, which surprised us.

How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?

• Lively district: – Stay in the vibrant 9th arrondissement close to nightlife, culture & shopping.
• Top attractions: – Walk to Pigalle, Moulin Rouge, Montmartre and Palais Garnier.
• Excellent transport: – Gare Saint-Lazare and several Metro stations make exploring easy.

The 9th arrondissement is known for partying and culture, much like gay old Paris in general.

You’ll be minutes from the lively Pigalle, all cabaret and cocktail, including the famed Moulin Rouge. In the daytime, it’s an easy walk up towards Montmartre.

It’s a wonderful area for a wander, though you will have to cross the promenade dividing the artsy hilltop from the more bustling 9th.

For transport, Gare Saint-Lazare is very close to the hotel, though most things in the 9th are walkable.

The Palais Garnier opera house is about 20 minutes from the hotel, and you’ll find museums, theatres, beautiful architecture, bakeries, and cheese shops.

A few Art Nouveau department stores in the area often make it onto must-see lists as well.

To get into the other areas of the city, you’ve got multiple stops within a 10-minute walk, which gives quick access to all the greatest hits.

You’ll be on the Seine in less than half an hour, and at the Arc de Triomphe in only 20 minutes.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“We loved everything about the property! From the moment you entered the front doors, we were impressed. It was so classy and beautiful. We loved the little outside area where you could eat. We loved our bedroom. The big bed was comfortable and cozy. The bathroom was fabulous. We loved that you could reserve the sauna and pool for a private time for an hour or 45 minutes. Everything was just gorgeous. We have to mention that the hotel staff was so warm and inviting….”

“Perfect property, conveniently location, beautiful rooms, beautiful spa area, exceptional staff!…”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”I liked everything but in such a hotel I would expect to a more engaging experience. We told them that we are here to celebrate a birthday and even without any celebration in such a hotel you would expect that extra touch….”

”The pool was great but a bit cold….”

> Read all the reviews right here